The New Jersey Devils continued their poor play as of late, dropping another decision on Sunday afternoon in a 4-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets at the Prudential Center. The Devils held a 2-1 lead at one point in the game, but Winnipeg was able to rally from behind with some help from their special teams.
After trailing 2-1 after the first period, the Jets (8-9-1) scored three unanswered goals. The Devils started goaltender Johan Hedberg for the second straight game as Martin Brodeur left warm-ups with general soreness in his back. Brodeur says he tweaked something a few days ago in practice and it's been bothering him, but doesn't seem concerned about the injury. Hedberg finished with 23 saves and has allowed 14 goals in his last three starts.
Travis Zajac and Steve Bernier had goals for New Jersey, but the Devils (10-5-4) lost their fourth in five games and their second at home this season. There is definitely cause for concern in New Jersey as the team's play has dropped as of late, and they have only won two of their last seven games.
"There's always cause for concern, but no, I'm not concerned," DeBoer said. "Every team has to go through adversity. We just have to stick with it. These situations seem to happen to everyone except the Chicago Blackhawks.
"When you're losing, you're not comfortable with the entire group. I'd say we're not as bad as we've been over the last six games and perhaps we weren't as good as we were in the first seven."
The Devils placed Ryan Carter on retroactive injured reserve and recalled Jacob Josefson from Albany of the AHL. Carter has been out a week after he hit his head hard against the boards. Rookie Stefan Matteau also sat out. DeBoer said the 19-year-old Matteau is "a little banged up."
New Jersey will now have a few days off before they head out on a mini road trip that begins in Winnipeg on Thursday night as they look to rebound against the Jets.
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